The Tyler CBC had a spectacular day (Saturday, January 5, 2012), tieing last year's record high of 113 species. The bird of the count was a female Common Merganser, new for the count, found by Doug Ghrist, Mike Bloodsworth and Danny Pickens at the Lake Tyler boat ramp near Camp Tyler. Photos were taken that allow a definitive ID. The other many highlights were 1 Neotropic Cormorant, 4 Canada Geese, 1 Common Goldeneye, 2 Northern Harriers, 2 Soras, 2 Virginia Rails, 1 American Woodcock, 3 Greater Roadrunners, 12 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 6 Marsh Wrens, 1 Bewick's Wren, 1 Spotted Towhee, 4 Purple Finches, 39 Pine Siskins and 6 Western Meadowlarks. Duck numbers were on the low side, woodpecker numbers were high, and sparrow numbers were on the low side, with the exception of Lincoln's Sparrow (22), Harris's Sparrow (27) and White-crowned Sparrow (75). Thanks to all the 33 people on 10 field teams and 2 feeder watchers who took part in the count.

Prior to the turn of the century, people engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt": They would choose sides and go afield with their guns; whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages around the turn of the 20th century, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early officer in the then budding Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition-a "Christmas Bird Census"-that would count birds in the holidays rather than hunt them.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Frank M. Chapman and the enthusiasm of twenty-seven dedicated birders, twenty-five Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America. Those original 27 Christmas Bird Counters tallied a total of 90 species on all the counts combined.

First CBC: December 25, 1900
About 18,500 individual birds and 27 total participants

What is The Great Texas Birding Classic? There are many different tournament categories to choose from depending on your age, your ability and how much time you have. Just find some friends and family to form your team, select the tournament that fits your lifestyle, register your team, and start counting birds.

Have questions? Visit the contact section to talk directly to Birding Classic staff.

Mission Statement

To increase appreciation, understanding, and conservation of birds through education, recreation, nature tourism, and conservation fundraising.

In late May of 2011 the historic Audubon Camp in Maine, on spruce-covered Hog Island, will reopen for its 75 th summer of residential adult and teen natural history programs. Kenn Kauffman, Pete Dunne, Scott Weidensaul and many other expert ornithologists and naturalist-educators will be in residence during various sessions. There will be four adult ornithology sessions, one educator's session, one session for Audubon Chapter leaders, and one teen birding camp. Details at www.projectpuffin.org or contact Erica Van Etten at (607) 257-7308.